National Women’s History Month traces its origins back to March 8, 1857, when women from New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions. International Women’s Day was later observed in 1909. In 1981, the U.S. Congress designated the second week of March National Women's History Week, and in 1987 Congress expanded it to a month-long observance.

According to a recently published report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Women in the Labor Force: A Databook (PDF) women make up more than 86 percent of the library profession. Over the years, the ALA women’s groups have helped to develop evaluative tools, guidelines, and programs to enhance the opportunities and the image of women in the library profession.